This is tough. I know there are some very extreme situations and though I'd still not support abortion because of them, they are at least a little more understood as to why somebody might, in desperation, go through with this.
Risk of dying if Mother continues with pregnancy.
This is one that I would have to support. That, of course, would depend on the amount of risk and I am not qualified to make that determination. It would have to rest in the hands of the woman's doctor.
Since the death of the mother would very likely result in the death of the child, it seems to be less bad to have the child aborted and save the mother.
Conception the result of rape/incest.
This I can't abide. The child is not responsible for the actions of the father, so why kill the child in these cases.
Mother told unborn child will be born with EXTREME handicap/deformity.
Difficult decision indeed. However, if you believe that God puts difficulties in your life for a reason then shouldn't your decision be to keep the child? I have to agree with you even though I have not been tried in this extreme situation.
Poverty situations with no option for adoption.
I have never heard of any situation where a child could not be adopted or at least become a foster child of the state. In our country, the more liberal states allow a child to be anonymously dropped off at a hospital. Our "Bible Belt" states have steadfastly opposed this and want the mother who abandons her child to be prosecuted. Strangely, many of our fundamentalist denominations have pressured their representatives to enact laws that punish those mothers. Consequently, in those states, babies get left in trash bins to die because the mothers are afraid. Sad.
If it's done for selfish reasons? The sin is clearly emphasized. If it is done from a desperate and unsound mind because of EXTREME circumstances? I believe the sin maybe mitigated! As a Christian, I believe we have an almighty, understanding and merciful God who is perfectly aware of the intent, the circumstance and everything else.
Sin is sin and all sin is equal. Asking for forgiveness as a believer in Christ removes the sin.
However, I do not believe this God would support the killing of the unborn under any circumstances. As a Christian and as a human being myself? I simply cannot consider it an "option".
I support the protection of the unborn under ALL circumstances and the protection and support of the Mother carrying the child, especially if she is living in difficult or even desperate circumstances.
You and I mostly agree on this. I am opposed to abortion but support methods to minimize the chance of unwanted pregnancy. Comprehensive sex education and easy access to pregnancy prevention devices do better at this than abstinence only education. However, that is a different subject.
